MSc in Business Administration University of Hamburg
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Language of instruction
- English
- Tuition fees
- No tuition fees
- Next application deadline
- 31 March 2027 (winter semester)
- Language level required
- English: C1German: None
First impressions
Photo gallery
Our voices
Pursuing my Master’s in Business Administration at the Universität Hamburg has greatly contributed to my academic and personal development. By specialising in Marketing and Management, I gained practical insights and refined my focus. Throughout my studies, I benefited from strong support, especially from the Academic Office and the Career Centre.
Eliko Tkabladze
MSc in Business Administration Student
Programme overview
Quick facts
- Degree
- MSc
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Full-time / part-time
- Full-time
- Intake
- Winter semester
- Joint degree / double degree programme
- No
- Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
- No
Language of instruction
Students complete two specialisations.
English track: Students choose from:
- Business Analytics
- Finance, Banking and Insurance
- Marketing
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
General track (German): Students choose from the above and/or:
- Auditing and Taxation
- Health Care Management
- Management
Programme description
The MSc in Business Administration is one of the most highly regarded programmes for business administration in Germany. It is a general rather than a niche programme for a simple yet powerful reason – managers need to understand all aspects of business.
The programme provides students with the theoretical foundations, understanding and modern management skills needed to become business, academic and public-sector leaders in a data-driven world. Its focus is on quantitative and empirical research-based education.
The programme offers a great deal of flexibility, allowing students to develop a strong, broad foundation while also following their own interests. Students develop a unique profile through their choice of methodology courses, specialisations, elective courses, and thesis. During their studies, most students further strengthen this profile by working in business or completing internships.
Graduates are in high demand. In business, they find work quickly, earn above average starting salaries, and enjoy positions with a high level of responsibility. Others choose to further their academic career and go on to a doctoral degree.
Programme structure
Specialisations
This is a broad Master's programme. Regardless of track, students complete two specialisations.
English track (in English): Students choose from the following specialisations:
- Business Analytics
- Finance, Banking and Insurance
- Marketing
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
General track (in German): Students choose from the specialisations above, plus the following:
- Auditing and Taxation
- Health Care Management
- Management
Structure
The programme offers a great deal of flexibility, allowing students to pursue their interests and to develop their own, unique profile. The regular study period is four semesters. To be awarded the degree, students must successfully complete a total of 120 ECTS credits:
- methods (18 ECTS credits)
- two specialisations (24 ECTS credits in each)
- elective courses (24 ECTS credits) and
- a thesis (30 ECTS credits)
Students complete the methods, specialisations, and elective courses within the regular period of study (four semesters).
Double-degree programme with Kyoto University
Once enrolled in Business Administration, students can apply for the double degree programme with the Kyoto University.
Upon successful completion of the six-semester double degree programme, students are awarded an MSc in Business Administration from Universität Hamburg and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Kyoto University.
Double-degree programme with the Universidad Austral, Argentina
Over the course of four or five semesters, students can earn a Master of Science (MSc) from the Universität Hamburg and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the IAE Business School at the Universidad Austral in Buenos Aires.
Double degree programme with the Audencia Business School, France
Over the course of five semesters, students can earn a Master of Science (MSc) from the Universität Hamburg and a Master in Management (Grande École) from Audencia in Nantes.
The IAE Business School at the Universidad Austral and the Audencia Business School have been awarded “Triple Crown” accreditation (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA) and are renowned for academic excellence and their global network.
Mode of study
- Fully on-site
International elements in the curriculum
The curriculum of this study programme includes international elements that support global perspectives and cross-cultural learning:
- International guest lecturers
- Integrated/optional study abroad unit(s)
Students can complete one or two semesters abroad at partners in Europe and beyond.
- Specialist literature in other languages
- International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
- Content-related regional focus
International content, themes and perspectives are common in the courses.
Students choose their own Master's thesis topics (with support from their supervisor). Topics are often international.
Students can participate in international short courses (e.g. summer schools) in Hamburg and abroad.
Integrated internships
Internships or work are not part of the programme. Nevertheless, most students do paid internships and/or work at (international) firms in professional "working student" roles in Hamburg during their Master's. The school provides information about finding student jobs and internships, and offers a mentoring programme with mentors from the business world.
Application and admission
Application period(s)
Winter semester
| Applicants from | Applications begin | Application deadline | |
|---|---|---|---|
All countries
|
15 February 2027
|
31 March 2027
|
Academic admissions requirements
1. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a state-recognised university or university of applied sciences in:
- business administration
- economics
- business mathematics
- business informatics
- industrial engineering & management
- or a related field
Applicants who completed an interdisciplinary Bachelor's programme must have completed at least 90 ECTS credits in business administration subjects.
2. Applicants must have completed a total of at least 24 ECTS credits in mathematics, statistics, and/or micro-economics.
3. Applicants must prove proficiency either in English or German.
Further details are listed on the programme website.
Language requirements
German language requirements
English language requirements
Accepted certificates include
| Certificates | Minimum result |
|---|---|
UNIcert® English
|
Total: UNIcert® III
|
IELTS Academic
|
Total: 7 / 9
|
Cambridge English Qualifications
|
Total: C1 Advanced
|
How to apply?
Costs and funding
Tuition fees per semester
No tuition fees
Semester contribution
There is a semester fee of around 390 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area and throughout Germany (the "Deutschland-Ticket").
Cost of living
Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc., you ought to expect the following expenses:
- housing: approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
- living expenses: approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month
Part-time employment
Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-university job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.
Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.
Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for more information.
There are several job opportunities at Universität Hamburg. Many are offered exclusively to students. Check out departmental bulletin boards, websites, Stellenwerk, or ask directly in your department.
Scholarships and financing information
International full-time students may apply for merit scholarships or exam grants granted by Universität Hamburg. For more information, please use the provided link. We also recommend contacting our colleagues in the Department of International Affairs for further guidance.
Living & services
Support for international students
- Welcome event
- Buddy programme
The school and the university provide an extensive range of services for all students.
The school's Academic Office helps students with all course-related administration.
The school's International Office offers exchanges with partner universities, as does the university's International Office. Students can also organise their own semester(s) abroad (directly or through an agency).
The university offers language courses, study and writing support, counselling, and an office to support students with disabilities, amongst others.
Support for specific needs
Studying with a disability
Universität Hamburg and the UHH Business School are strongly committed to equal opportunities, and they will support students with disabilities in any way necessary to ensure their academic success. For more information, please visit our website.
Studying with a family
We strive to provide the best possible support for students with children. For instance, the UHH Business School has set up a quiet room where parents can relax with their children. Please visit the website for more information on services for students with children.
Career advisory services
The Business School offers a mentoring programme for Master's students. Mentors typically come from the world of practice.
The school offers career information on its website and its own job board. Professors hold events with companies interested in recruiting students and graduates.
The university also offers support (see "Possibility of finding part-time employment" above).
Accommodation
Are you searching for an apartment or a room? Although affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, please do not despair. Patience and luck will help you find suitable accommodation.
Start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. For more information on how to find accommodation, please visit: Finding accommodation in Hamburg.
For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please see: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf.
About us
University of Hamburg
Universität Hamburg is the largest institution for research and education in northern Germany. As one of the country’s largest universities, we offer a diverse range of degree programmes and excellent research opportunities. The university boasts numerous interdisciplinary projects in a broad range of fields and an extensive partner network of leading regional, national, and international higher education and research institutions. Universität Hamburg is committed to sustainability.
All our faculties have taken great strides towards sustainability in both research and teaching.
Excellent research
As part of the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments, Universität Hamburg has been granted clusters of excellence for four core research areas: Advanced Imaging of Matter (photon and nanosciences), Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS) (climate research), Understanding Written Artefacts (manuscript research) and Quantum Universe (mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology).
An equally important core research area is Infection Research, in which researchers investigate the structure, dynamics, and mechanisms of infection processes to promote the development of new treatment methods and therapies.
Excellent University
Furthermore, alongside ten universities and one university alliance, Universität Hamburg was named a University of Excellence and was deemed a "flagship university."
Outstanding variety: 180 degree programmes
Universität Hamburg offers more than 180 degree programmes within its eight faculties:
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement
- University of Hamburg Business School (Faculty of Business Administration)
Universität Hamburg is also home to several museums and collections, such as the Herbarium Hamburgense, the Geological-Paleontological Museum, the Loki Schmidt Garden, and the Hamburg Observatory.
History
Universität Hamburg was founded in 1919 by local citizens. Important founding figures include Senator Werner von Melle and the merchant Edmund Siemers. Nobel Prize winners such as the physicists Otto Stern, Wolfgang Pauli, and Isidor Rabi taught and researched at the university. Many other distinguished scholars also worked here, such as Ernst Cassirer, Erwin Panofsky, Aby Warburg, William Stern, Agathe Lasch, Magdalene Schoch, Emil Artin, Ralf Dahrendorf, and Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker.
Location
With 1.8 million citizens, Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany and is also one of Germany's 16 federal states. Due to its location on the Elbe River linked to the North Sea, it has had a long tradition as the cultural and commercial centre of northern Germany. Commercially, the Free and Hanseatic City is known as the media capital of Germany. It is a leader in the shipping and transportation industries. Culturally, the city is home to, among other things, the leading ballet company in Germany, an opera house, numerous musicals, and annual film festivals. As far as action and fun are concerned, Hamburg is the place to be. The Reeperbahn, known not only to sailors worldwide as the "Mile of Sin", has numerous bars, cafés, and clubs as well as many other interesting sites not to be seen elsewhere. The "Kiez", as the natives call it, even gave the Beatles their start in the early 1960s. Fortunately, Hamburg's many parks and green areas provide the opportunity to relax and recover from the city's active side. Moreover, the city's innumerable canals invite you to spend some time sailing, rowing or kayaking. For more information on the city, please see: https://www.hamburg-travel.com/.
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